The average British holiday - in numbers ...

The average British family holiday involves a three-hour journey, four tantrums - and two days of rain, new research reveals.

A survey of 2,000 families also found children ask “Are we there yet?” five times and parents enjoy only two lie-ins, but do get at least 16 hours as a family on the beach.

And taking a phone to the beach is more important than a TOWEL for four in ten people, according to the holiday-by-numbers research by self-catering agency Beach Retreats.

The average British holiday sees 81 photos snapped, three Facebook statuses posted and eight ice creams are eaten per person - although two will be dropped. Families will also have to contend with three occasions of seagulls swooping in, five sandcastles are built and three inflatables are blown up by puffed-out parents.

Parents will normally get less than two and a half hours to themselves most days but will manage three quiet drinks over the holiday.

Andrew Easton, business manager for Beach Retreats said: “Around half of British families will be taking a staycation in 2016 and the appeal of the British beach holiday stronger than ever.

“Documenting your beach holiday with photos, social uploads and selfies is now a typical part of a beach holiday, but it’s great to see that outdoor activities, discovering the beach, are still so important to families.”

One of our favourite things about UK beach holidays is the sea air - with three quarters of people (73 per cent) saying it’s what they love most about the seaside.

Being close to the sea (61 per cent), out of the wind (55 per cent) and near to a toilet (30 per cent) are among the key factors in deciding where best on the beach to set-up camp for the day.

More than two thirds (69 per cent) of families will not head to the beach without at least one weather-proof essential such as a windbreak, full waterproofs or an umbrella.

While on holiday, half (54 per cent) of British families will watch a sunset, almost a third (29 per cent) will have a barbecue on the beach and 22 per cent adults will try a local craft ale.

Traditional British beach behaviours are still as popular as ever, with building sandcastles, digging holes in the sand and exploring rock pools listed as the most popular things to do beside the seaside.